In stark contrast to the last international break, there is a genuine feel-good atmosphere around Arsenal at the moment.

Instead of going into the long break off the back of a devastating loss at Anfield, the Gunners are sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table thanks to a routine win over West Ham United and Chelsea scoring a last-minute winner to take all three points off Liverpool.

Moreover, there is now talk of the Emirates’ capacity being expanded in the not-too-distant future, and in yet more good news, David Raya is reportedly getting a pay rise to reflect his importance to the squad.

The Spaniard more than deserves his new terms, but he isn’t the only player in Mikel Arteta’s squad who should be getting a new contract.

Why Raya deserves a pay rise

Interestingly, while reports about Raya’s new payment terms mention the inclusion of an optional year in his contract, it is quite clear that this new deal does not actually increase the number of standard years the Spaniard has left at the club.

That might sound rather odd to some, and there is certainly an argument to be made that it is, but there are a few reasons why this pay rise more than makes sense.

Firstly, unlike when the former Brentford ace was first signed and there was an element of doubt over who would be the club’s starting goalkeeper between him and Aaron Ramsdale, he is now clearly one of the first names on the team sheet.

Therefore, it’s only right that his wage reflects his true importance to the squad. At the £100k-per-week he was earning before these new terms, he was making less than 14 other players, including Mikel Merino, Gabriel Martinelli, and Noni Madueke.

Second, in addition to starting most games for the side, the 30-year-old is undoubtedly one of the very best in his position in the Premier League, if not Europe.

For example, he’s won the league’s Golden Glove award in both of the last two seasons, and according to FBref, he sits in the top 4% of keepers in Europe’s top five leagues for percentage of crosses stopped, the top 7% for clean sheets, the top 8% for save percentage and more, all per 90.

Finally, from a purely social perspective, it keeps him happy and shows the other players that consistent results will be rewarded, which in turn helps foster a better atmosphere.

Raya’s Scout Report

Statistics

Per 90

Percentile

Goals Against

0.78

Top 2%

Post-Shot Expected Goals

0.92

Top 4%

Crosses Stopped %

12.5%

Top 4%

Clean Sheets

0.39

Top 7%

Clean Sheet Percentage

39.2%

Top 7%

Save Percentage

76.2%

Top 8%

Def. Actions Outside Pen. Area

1.78

Top 10%

Crosses Stopped

1.25

Top 14%

All Stats via FBref

With all that said, there is another player in the squad who deserves the same treatment.

The Arsenal star who deserves a raise like Raya

The good thing for Arteta and Arsenal is that, following the slew of new deals agreed in the summer, there aren’t many players who’d be able to claim they’re currently underpaid in the squad.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

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However, there is one international who could make that argument, someone who at the very least deserves a raise, if not a new deal: Jurrien Timber.

Yes, the former Ajax gem, who joined the club for around £38m in the summer of 2023, is the player perhaps most deserving of new terms at the moment, and based on reports this month, it does seem like he may soon get them.

Being a right-back, and one that doesn’t tend to bomb forward as much as a Trent Alexander-Arnold or Jermaine Frimpong, means the Dutchman doesn’t always get the recognition he deserves from the wider footballing community.

But since recovering from his ACL injury, which ruled him out for pretty much the entirety of the 23/24 season, the 24-year-old has been incredible, and this season his performances are making him harder and harder to overlook.

Like Declan Rice in midfield and Bukayo Saka on the wing, the monstrous defender very rarely, if ever, puts in a less than a 7/10 performance and more often than not does better than that.

In the words of Arsenal podcaster Adam Keys, he’s like a “dementor for wingers” thanks to his brilliant anticipation, footballing IQ and surprising physicality. Yet, especially this season, he has also been improving his attacking play, with the performance against Newcastle United arguably his best offensive display since joining the club.

Unsurprisingly, the Utrecht-born titan’s underlying numbers from this season more than back up the eye-test and prove that he’s hitting a level few other full-backs can.

According to FBref, he sits in the top 2% of full-backs in the Premier League for actual and expected non-penalty goals, shot-creating actions, progressive passes and tackles, the top 7% for total shots and pass completion, the top 11% for touches in the opposition’s penalty area and more, all per 90.

Timber’s Scout Report

Statistics

Per 90

Percentile

Goals

0.34

Top 2%

Goals + Assists

0.52

Top 2%

Non-Penalty Goals

0.34

Top 2%

xG: Expected Goals

0.31

Top 2%

npxG: Non-Penalty xG

0.31

Top 2%

Progressive Passes

6.38

Top 2%

Shots on Target

0.86

Top 2%

Passes into Penalty Area

2.07

Top 2%

Through Balls

0.86

Top 2%

Shot-Creating Actions

3.28

Top 2%

SCA (Shot)

0.69

Top 2%

GCA (Shot)

0.17

Top 2%

GCA (Fouls Drawn)

0.17

Top 2%

Tackles Won

2.41

Top 2%

Tackles (Mid 3rd)

1.55

Top 2%

Tackles (Att 3rd)

1.03

Top 2%

Tkl+Int

5.34

Top 2%

Touches (Att 3rd)

23.10

Top 2%

Penalty Kicks Won

0.17

Top 2%

All Stats via FBref for the 25/26 PL Season

Ultimately, considering all factors, it’s hard to disagree with respected analyst Ben Mattinson’s claim that Timber is “one of the best Emirates-era signings.”

Therefore, like Raya, he should be getting a pay rise as soon as possible, or better yet, a new contract altogether.

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Posts ByBen Gray Oct 8, 2025

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso is willing to sell anyone except French forward Kylian Mbappe to sign Juventus' star Kenan Yildiz, according to agent Giovanni Branchini. The Turkish international has garnered interest from multiple European clubs, and Alonso, who was winding down his playing career at Bayern Munich while the winger was coming through the German side's youth academy, is eager for a reunion.

Yildiz already a star at Juventus

Yildiz was promoted from Juventus' U-19 side to the senior team in 2023 and enjoyed his breakthrough campaign last term, managing 12 goals and nine assists in 52 matches across all competitions, including the Club World Cup. He is reportedly valued at €100 million by the Bianconeri, as they aim to create a champion side revolving around him. Notably, he captained Juventus against Los Blancos in their latest Champions League meeting, where he featured for 74 minutes. Accumulating six goal contributions – four goals and two assists – in 10 matches, he is enjoying a stellar season so far.

AdvertisementAFPAgent reveals Alonso's admiration for Yildiz

Branchini told : "Xabi Alonso wants Yildiz at Real Madrid. Xabi is willing to let anyone go to sign him, except Mbappe. Juventus is currently asking for 100 million euros but everyone does that for everyone, so you find someone who will give it to you. Of course, then there's the case of Nico Williams, who the whole world wants, but he renews with Athletic and stays there. Yildiz was a clear request [from Alonso] to the owners, he likes him a lot." 

Alonso's admiration of the 20-year-old was witnessed in the press conference before their meeting on Wednesday. The Spaniard said: "[Juventus] have very good players, and Yildiz is one of them. He's had a fantastic development. I know him. He was at Bayern Munich when I was there. Seeing his progress makes me very happy." 

Alonso represented Bayern from 2014 to 2017 before announcing his retirement from the sport. Yildiz, on the other hand, was admitted to the Bavarians' youth setup in 2012 from Regensburg. Should Madrid end up signing the Juventus star, it would not only reunite Yildiz with Alonso, but also with Arda Guler, who shares the dressing room with the Regensburg-born player at the Turkey national team.

Yildiz eager to play for Real Madrid?

While there have been no discussions between Madrid and Juventus regarding Yildiz's potential future, the forward has hinted at his intention of representing Los Blancos in the future. While not taking the club's name, he indicated that playing at the Bernabeu is something he would be happy to do. He mentioned: "Every kid dreams of playing in that stadium. I think it's one of the most beautiful in the world, and being able to play there now is like a dream come true. Facing a club like Real Madrid in the Champions League is simply incredible."

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Getty Images SportReal ready for Alonso's first Clasico

Alonso is gearing up for his first Clasico clash against Barcelona as Real Madrid boss. The capital club were beaten by the Catalan side each time they met last season, but Los Blancos hope the arrival of a new manager and their bright start to the season will propel them to a home win on Sunday. After nine matches in La Liga, Real sit atop the table with 24 points. Hansi Flick's Barca have a two-point deficit and sit second. Hence, it's going to be a high-octane clash where there won't be any favourites. However, Barca have been more clinical this season, as they have scored 24 goals, the most so far in the domestic league, whereas Madrid have managed four fewer. What's more surprising is that, despite scoring more goals than Real, there's no Barca player in the top-five scorers' list. Mbappe leads the chart with 10, while Vinicius sits fifth with five.

He is their pre-draft signing, and will join Steven Smith in the Sixers squad

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Jun-2025

Babar Azam is yet to feature in the BBL•PSL

Sydney Sixers have brought in Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam as a pre-draft signing for the upcoming BBL season. Babar will join Steven Smith in the Sixers side after he was roped in as their international recruit ahead of the overseas draft, which is scheduled for June 19.As per the league rules, each BBL side can sign one international recruit before the draft. Until now, Sixers were the only side who had not brought on board a pre-signed overseas player. Apart from Babar and Smith, the Sixers squad now includes Sean Abbott, Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques, Todd Murphy, Mitch Perry, Josh Philippe and Jordan Silk.”It’s an exciting opportunity to play in one of the world’s best T20 leagues and to be a part of such a successful and respected franchise,” Babar said in a Sixers release. “I’m looking forward to contributing to the team’s success, building a strong connection with the fans, and sharing this experience with my friends, family and supporters at home in Pakistan.”Related

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Among Pakistani names, Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Rizwan are also set to feature in the next BBL, although they all will be part of the overseas draft next week.Babar has a wealth of T20 experience to his name, having played 320 matches so far, most recently in the PSL where he led Peshawar Zalmi. Even though his side finished second from bottom, Babar was the leading scorer for Zalmi with a tally of 288 runs from 10 innings, while striking at 128.57.Babar has, however, gone out of favour in Pakistan’s national T20 side, having been dropped earlier this year. Across the world, he has played in several T20 leagues, including the CPL, BPL, LPL and the Vitality Blast in England.”Babar’s resume speaks for itself,” Sixers general manager Rachael Haynes said. “The skill, professionalism, and experience that he brings is of enormous value to our playing group and the news is obviously incredibly exciting for our fans.”He is a world-class player and a proven leader. He’s not only a huge addition to our club, but to the league as a whole. The Sixers strive to be a destination club on the global stage – from playing at the iconic SCG to delivering world-class match day experiences and signing the top talent from around the world – and securing a player of Babar’s calibre only further strengthens that vision.”

Sunderland are yet to look fazed by the intense challenges of the Premier League.

Minus a disappointing loss away at Burnley on the second matchday of the season, Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats have collected two wins and two draws, with another encouraging display from the Wearside outfit against Aston Villa handing the hosts a 1-1 draw.

It wasn’t the prettiest overall display, as Sunderland had to dig deep after being reduced to ten men early on, but there was just enough in the Black Cats’ tank to steal a share of the points.

Again, Wilson Isidor would come to the rescue with a well-taken strike towards the dying stages of the tense contest, with both the Frenchman and his battling compatriot at the back in Nordi Mukiele key to the late draw being sealed.

Isidor & Mukiele's standout performances

Amazingly, Sunderland – at this point – boasts a sterner defensive record in the Premier League than that of Arne Slot’s table-topping Liverpool, and it’s clear to see why after Mukiele put in another combative display.

Leaking just four goals from six games, Mukiele has only given up two of those strikes since entering Le Bris’ first team plans after a summer move from Paris St. Germain.

The commanding 27-year-old would ensure the likes of Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers were kept quiet throughout, despite the Villans’ man advantage, as seen in him winning seven duels and registering 12 clearances to ensure the basics were done valiantly, as per Sofascore.

Picked up for just £12m, it really does feel as if Sunderland have hit gold on an unbelievable bargain already in tempting Mukiele to Wearside.

Isidor is also proving to be a shrewd buy at the moment for just £5m, considering the ex-Zenit St. Petersburg striker is now in the Stadium of Light record books for his three strikes this season on home soil.

But, despite both the defender and the attacker sticking out once more, there is a different star buried in the senior ranks that is worth even more than both Isidor and Mukiele, who represents an even better bargain.

How Isidor & Mukiele's market values compare

Various Sunderland stars who were purchased just this summer have instantly settled into their new environment, away from just focusing on Mukiele, with Noah Sadiki running himself into the ground for the cause on Sunday, as seen in him winning three ground duels.

But, there is also the old guard that has been there since the beginning of Sunderland’s ascent, all the way from the lower reaches of the EFL to the promised land of the Premier League, that deserve equal praise, with Trai Hume being one figure still beloved by the Stadium of Light masses, despite all these flashy new buys taking over.

Le Bris’ past comments about Hume being a “warrior” were spot on when assessing his gritty performance against Villa, with three tackles amassed – which included this mistimed lunge on the aforementioned Rogers – on top of eight duels being won, generating lots of cheers from the home faithful.

Yet, it’s also his attacking flair that has turned him into a major fan favourite since he sealed a switch from his native Northern Ireland to England back in 2022, with nine goal contributions last campaign very much helping Sunderland steer themselves to promotion glory.

Minutes played

137

Goals scored

6

Assists

9

Promotions

1x

Value when joining

£200k

Value now

£15.5m

He is yet to get up and running with any goals or assists in the top-flight, but that will hopefully come with time, with Hume once making the jump from Linfield to the bruising nature of the EFL look straightforward.

Subsequently, the “outstanding” full-back – as he has been glowingly labelled by journalist Josh Bunting – is now worth way more than his original measly £200k price tag, with Football Transfers now estimating that the tough Northern Irishman has a bumped up value of £15.5m.

That’s even more than both Mukiele and Isidor’s valuations on the site, with the determined centre-back worth a lesser £10.6m, while the lofty attacker comes in at £13.6m, which is a huge increase from his modest £5m price tag in January.

Still, he pales somewhat in comparison to Hume, with Le Bris hopeful he can continue to get a tune out of his full camp to keep up their fantastic early return to the top-flight.

70% duels won: 9/10 Sunderland star is now as undroppable as Isidor

Sunderland battled to a well-earned 1-1 draw against Aston Villa as this brave star shone throughout.

ByKelan Sarson Sep 21, 2025

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) have announced a busy international schedule for both the men’s (BlackCaps) and the women’s (White Ferns) national teams. The men will host Australia, England, South Africa and West Indies across formats, while the women have 14 games lined up, against South Africa and Zimbabwe. All this, along with their respective World Cups: the women play the ODI World Cup through September and October in India and Sri Lanka and the men take part in the T20 World Cup early next year, also in India and Sri Lanka.Australia, England and West Indies will visit New Zealand before Christmas for men’s fixtures, with the T20 World Cup taking place soon after, followed by South Africa’s tour, which will feature double-headers with the women’s games. Australia will play three T20Is, all in October. The England series comprises three T20Is and three ODIs, starting in October and running into November. Then West Indies will feature in five T20Is, three ODIs, and three Tests to round off the tour, which starts on November 5 and runs till December 22.The women don’t have any fixtures scheduled before the ODI World Cup, and get into action in February 2026 with three ODIs and three T20Is beginning February and ending in March against Zimbabwe in what will be the team’s first visit to New Zealand for a bilateral series.This will be followed by the double-header T20I series against South Africa. Both the men and the women will play five T20Is between March 15 and March 25, and the women will then play a series of three ODIs between late March and early April.This adds up to 46 days of international cricket across nine venues in New Zealand.”It feels like a marquee summer,” Kyle Jamieson said in a NZC statement. “The calibre of opposition means we’ll be constantly tested for the duration of the season and that’s what you want as a cricketer.”It’s great to have another three-Test series at home and I’m sure the fans will get in behind the Test team as they have in seasons gone by. It’s always special to play in front of a home crowd and we’re hoping Kiwis will get out in force to support us once again this summer.”Compared to the 25 matches, including three Tests, that the men will play, the women have 14 fixtures lined up.”We can’t wait for the international season and the chance to play in another ICC Cricket World Cup,” Georgia Plimmer said. “We want to play as much cricket as we can, especially in front of our home fans and it’s exciting to have a 14-game home summer to prepare for.”It’s great to see more T20I doubleheaders as they are such a great experience for teams and fans alike and it was awesome to see such strong crowds last season.”

New Zealand men’s fixtures

Against Australia

• Oct 1 – 1st T20I, Mount Maunganui
• Oct 3 – 2nd T20I, Mount Maunganui
• Oct 4 – 3rd T20I, Mount Maunganui

Against England

• Oct 18 – 1st T20I, Christchurch
• Oct 20 – 2nd T20I, Christchurch
• Oct 23 – 3rd T20I, Auckland
• Oct 26 – 1st ODI, Mount Maunganui
• Oct 29 – 2nd ODI, Hamilton
• Nov 1 – 3rd ODI, Wellington

Against West Indies

• Nov 5 – 1st T20I, Auckland
• Nov 6 – 2nd T20I, Auckland
• Nov 9 – 3rd T20I, Nelson
• Nov 10 – 4th T20I, Nelson
• Nov 13 – 5th T20I, Dunedin
• Nov 16 – 1st ODI, Christchurch
• Nov 19 – 2nd ODI, Napier
• Nov 22 – 3rd ODI, Hamilton
• Dec 2-6 – 1st Test, Christchurch
• Dec 10-14 – 2nd Test, Wellington
• Dec 18-22 – 3rd Test, Mount Maunganui

Against South Africa

• Mar 15 – 1st T20I, Mount Maunganui
• Mar 17 – 2nd T20I, Hamilton
• Mar 20 – 3rd T20I, Auckland
• Mar 22 – 4th T20I, Wellington
• Mar 25 – 5th T20I, Christchurch

New Zealand women’s fixtures

Against Zimbabwe

• Feb 25 – 1st T20I, Hamilton
• Feb 27 – 2nd T20I, Hamilton
• Mar 1 – 3rd T20I, Hamilton
• Mar 5 – 1st ODI, Dunedin
• Mar 8 – 2nd ODI, Dunedin
• Mar 11 – 3rd ODI, Dunedin

Against South Africa

• Mar 15 – 1st T20I, Mount Maunganui
• Mar 17 – 2nd T20I, Hamilton
• Mar 20 – 3rd T20I, Auckland
• Mar 22 – 4th T20I, Wellington
• Mar 25 – 5th T20I, Christchurch
• Mar 29 – 1st ODI, Christchurch
• Apr 1 – 2nd ODI, Wellington
• Apr 4 – 3rd ODI, Wellington

There’s no doubt that Manchester United’s dismal displays on the pitch over the last couple of seasons have fallen way below the expectations placed on the side by the supporters.

The Red Devils faithful have been treated to constant success, as seen by their tally of 13 Premier League titles – all of which came under Sir Alex Ferguson’s guidance.

Ruben Amorim is the latest manager to try and add himself to the list of managers to achieve such a feat, with the club now going 12 years without an English top-division title.

However, the club’s 15th-placed finish in 2024/25 highlights the work he and the first-team squad have to do before being able to achieve such a feat in the near future.

Whilst the prospect of battling for a title this campaign remains extremely slim, the 40-year-old will have certainly seen improvements in numerous players within his ranks.

Man Utd’s star performers in 2025/26 to date

In an attempt to get back to their former glory, United forked out a fee in the region of £71m for the signature of Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford during the recent summer transfer window.

Given the nature of the fee, the supporters have no doubt had big expectations of the forward to thrive, but he’s already shown glimpses that he’s able to live up to the hype.

The 26-year-old has netted two goals and registered an assist in his first eight outings for the club, already cementing himself as one of Amorim’s most important attackers.

He’s not been alone in impressing in such an area, with Amad Diallo also making an impression and picking up where he left off from the closing stages of last campaign.

The Ivorian has failed to register a single goal or assist, but has ranked third in the squad for chances created – subsequently highlighting his ability to cause the opposition endless chaos.

However, despite the performances of the aforementioned duo, one other first team member has managed to impress and managed to turn his career at the club around.

The United star who’s been their Player of the Season so far

Given the lowly league finish last time around, it’s a surprise to no one that many United players struggled to make the desired impact at Old Trafford.

Numerous players were moved on during the summer transfer window, as Amorim looked to complete an overhaul of his first-team squad to help suit his 3-4-2-1 system.

Part of the reason behind the departures was to make room for the £200m spending spree, which allowed the likes of Mbeumo to complete their own moves to the North West.

However, some of the below-par performers did stay put at the Theatre of Dreams, with Matthijs de Ligt just one talent who the manager decided to keep hold of ahead of 2025/26.

The Dutch international was often dug out for his lack of impact last season, with former Red Devils fan favourite Paul Scholes also voicing his disappointment with the defender.

Speaking on The Overlap last season, the 50-year-old described his lack of form as a “big concern” amid his move to Manchester – but us safe to say the former Bayern Munich star has started to prove his doubters wrong.

De Ligt has started all seven of the club’s 2025/26 league games to date, featuring for every minute and helping Amorim’s men keep a clean sheet in the recent win against Sunderland.

Games played

7

Minutes played

630

Pass accuracy

88%

Duels won

6.2

Aerials won

3.6

Interceptions made

1.2

Dribble success

50%

Tackles won

2.2

His underlying stats are just as impressive, subsequently winning 6.2 duels per 90 – a tally that ranks him within the top 16% of all players in the Premier League.

He’s also won 3.6 aerial battles and made 1.2 interceptions per 90, with such numbers undoubtedly handing the side the defensive presence they lacked last season.

In possession, the 26-year-old has been just as impressive, completing 88% of the passes he’s attempted – arguably being the perfect all-round defender for the Red Devils.

Given his lack of form last campaign, and prior to joining United, it truly is a credit to the player for his remarkable turnaround, with De Ligt arguably one of the first names on the teamsheet at present.

His performances have certainly made him the club’s Player of the Season to date, with real hope that he can maintain such levels for the remainder of 2025/26.

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ByJoe Nuttall Oct 9, 2025

Arsenal and Manchester United are now among the leading clubs looking to sign an “exciting” French defender, who is also capable of playing in midfield.

Gunners looking to bolster defensive options

The Gunners appear to be in a strong position to finally end their long wait for a title, currently sitting top of the Premier League table, and much of their success can be put down to their extremely impressive defensive record in the early stages of the campaign.

Mikel Arteta’s side have conceded just three goals in their opening seven games, which is the fewest of any side in the top flight, with William Saliba and Gabriel continuing their solid partnership at the heart of the defence.

The north Londoners also bolstered their options at the back during the summer transfer window, signing Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia, and the 21-year-old has featured fairly regularly so far this season, featuring eight times across all competitions.

Given that Arteta is already well-stocked in defence, it may be surprising to learn that Arsenal have now set their sights on another centre-back, who is attracting interest from some of Europe’s top clubs.

That is according to a report from Caught Offside, which reveals the Gunners are now among the leading clubs tracking FC Nantes defender Tylel Tati, alongside Premier League rivals Manchester United, with both clubs sending scouts to watch him in action.

There could be serious competition for Tati’s signature, however, with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Aston Villa also being named as potential suitors, while Barcelona, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen headline the interest from abroad.

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ByEmilio Galantini Oct 11, 2025

The widespread interest in the 17-year-old may stem from his ability to play in multiple positions, with the report stating he is capable of playing at left-back, while also possessing the ability to play in defensive midfield.

"Exciting" Tati could be fantastic long-term addition for Arsenal

Scout Jacek Kulig has named the youngster among the most “exciting” French U21 centre-backs, and it is clear to see why, given that he has already managed to establish himself as a first-team regular for Nantes.

The starlet has made six Ligue 1 appearances so far this season, which is an impressive feat, given that he only turned 17 earlier this year, highlighting that the Nantes ace could be ready to make the step-up to the Premier League before too long.

Arguably the Frenchman’s toughest test to date came on his debut against Paris Saint-Germain, but manager Luis Castro singled him out for praise after the match, despite Nantes suffering a 1-0 defeat, saying: “He played a very good match, he is calm, focused, and at 17, that’s not bad,”

With the likes of Saliba, Gabriel, Mosquera and Piero Hincapie on the books, there is no pressing need to bring in a new centre-back, but Tati could be a fantastic addition on a long-term basis, and his versatility is an added bonus.

MatériaMais Notícias

O técnico Diego Aguirre deixou o Santos com o pior aproveitamento de um treinador do clube no século XXI. Com apenas uma vitória sob o comando do Peixe, o uruguaio possui somente 20% de rendimento com a equipe.

Além dessa marca, neste mesmo período, o comandante registra o menor tempo no comando do Alvinegro Praiano entre todos os treinadores, com apenas cinco partidas realizadas.

+ Já atualizou sua camisa de 2023? Confira os novos uniformes do Peixe!

No campo, o desempenho se mostrou alarmante no curto espaço de tempo que o técnico teve para trabalhar. Em cinco compromissos, o time do litoral paulista levou 12 gols, estufou as redes apenas duas vezes e permaneceu na zona de rebaixamento do Brasileirão.

O BAIXO APROVEITAMENTO DOS CONTRATADOS DA ‘ERA RUEDA’

Além do rendimento de Aguirre ser o pior do Santos, outros treinadores adquiridos pelo presidente Andres Rueda figuram entre as posições mais baixas. Vale destacar que Paulo Turra fica com a penúltima colocação do ranking e, dos demais contratados pelo atual mandatário, ninguém conseguiu um aproveitamento superior a 50%.

Confira abaixo a lista completa com o desempenho de todos comandantes do Santos no século XXI:

A BOLA DA VEZ!

Marcelo Fernandes, que comandará o Peixe diante do Bahia, já passou pelo comando técnico do Santos em alguns períodos, seja como efetivo ou interino do cargo.

Com um aproveitamento superior a 50%, o treinador tenta repetir o desempenho das outras passagens para, assim, livrar o Santos da zona de rebaixamento.

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* Gabriel Teles colaborou sob supervisão de Vinicius Perazzini

Half-century for James Vince keeps Hampshire interested but asking rate proves too steep

ECB Reporters Network19-Jun-2025Lewis Gregory clubbed a brutal half-century as Somerset defeated Hampshire Hawks by 17 runs at the Cooper Associates Ground to return to winning ways and move clear of Surrey at the top of the Vitality Blast South Group table.Will Smeed smashed 68 from 37 balls with nine fours and three sixes and dominated stands of 59 and 46 with Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Tom Abell for the second and third wickets respectively after Somerset had been put in beneath the Taunton floodlights. But the home side lost their way during the middle overs and were indebted to skipper Gregory, who clubbed a much-needed 55 from 27 balls with four fours and four sixes and staged a record-breaking seventh-wicket partnership of 82 with Lewis Goldsworthy to propel the cider county to 209 for 6. Veteran allrounder Benny Howell claimed 2 for 12 and Liam Dawson 1 for 29 as the Hawks struggled to contain the South Group leaders.James Vince raised a 30-ball 54 and South Africa batter Dewald Brevis crashed 36 from 16 deliveries, but Ben Green took 3 for 40 as Somerset took wickets at key moments to restrict Hawks to 192 for 7 and secure a sixth victory in seven outings in the short format this season.Put into bat, Somerset made a subdued start by their own high standards, Tom Banton falling cheaply to a tremendous catch on the run by Joe Weatherley at deep square leg off the bowling of Eddie Jack. Kohler-Cadmore encountered no such problems, taking 14 runs off the third over, bowled by James Fuller, as the home side reasserted themselves.Smeed was equally expansive, plundering three boundaries in one Jack over, while Kohler-Cadmore emulated that feat at the expense of Fuller in the next as the second wicket pair fashioned a half-century partnership from just 23 balls in advancing the score to 68 for 1 at the end of the powerplay.Hampshire’s seamers held their nerve and Fuller provided relief, bowling Kohler-Cadmore for a 15-ball 29 in the seventh with the score 70 for 2. Kohler-Cadmore accrued a quartet of fours and a six, only to depart before he could inflict real damage. In his absence, Smeed picked up the cudgels, hoisting Fuller over midwicket for six and then straight-hitting the next ball for four to post 50 from 27 balls.Dawson’s nagging accuracy notwithstanding, Somerset initially managed to maintain momentum during the crucial middle overs, Abell adopting the role of chief support to Smeed, who continued to trade in boundaries and put bowlers and fielders alike under pressure. He eventually succumbed, hitting Jack straight down the throat of Scott Currie at long-on as Somerset slipped to 116 for 3 in the 11th.When Abell played across the line to Howell’s first delivery and was bowled via an inside edge, the home side were 116 for 4 and Hampshire fancied they were right back in the contest, an impression that was confirmed in the 13th, Sean Dickson playing back to Dawson and watching the ball clatter into his stumps.Green came and went quickly, holing out to long-on to provide the wily Howell with a second wicket as the flow of boundaries temporarily dried up and Somerset further subsided to 127 for 6 in the 14th. Gregory then took matters into his own hands, harvesting 25 off one Wood over as the seventh-wicket alliance realised 50 in just 25 balls. Unleashing a barrage of sixes, Somerset’s captain tucked into the seamers on his way to a high-octane 25-ball half-century. His partnership with Goldsworthy, who finished unbeaten on 29 from 16 balls, was a Somerset record for the seventh wicket in T20 cricket, eclipsing the 67 made by Omari Banks and Ben Phillips at Northampton in 2008.Living up to their formidable reputation, Hampshire openers Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Vince afforded the reply a super-charged start, posting 50 in 5.2 overs to force Somerset’s seamers onto the back foot. Pugilistic in his approach, Pretorius struck four fours and a brace of sixes as the partnership advanced to 74 inside nine overs.Somerset needed a wicket and the ever-dependable Green obliged, luring Pretorius into front-foot indiscretion and having the South African held in the deep for 37. With the asking rate rising above 12 for the first time, Vince and new batter Toby Albert looked to attack Goldsworthy. But the spinner defied their best attempts as the home side worked hard to restrict the supply of boundaries during the middle overs.Goldsworthy struck a telling blow in the 12th, inducing Albert to hit high to long-off with the score 95 for 2 as the rate continued to climb. While Vince remained at large, Hampshire were in with a chance, and the England batter hoisted Green high over midwicket for six to raise 50 from 29 balls. He was out next ball, caught on the long-on boundary as Green further reduced the visitors to 107 for 3.South African dangerman Brevis and Weatherley opened their shoulders in a bid to put the chase back on track, but Somerset’s bowlers remained disciplined in their lengths and the latter was run out by Riley Meredith for 15 with 75 still needed from five overs.Fuller attempted to match Brevis blow-for-blow, only to be undone by a Meredith yorker and fall for 11. Having struck four sixes and a four, Brevis then attempted to drive Green down the ground and skied a catch to Gregory at mid-off to signal the end of Hampshire’s prospects in the 18th..

Newcastle United’s start to the 2025/26 Premier League season has been one of promise mixed with frustration.

Eddie Howe’s side opened with a cagey 0-0 draw against Aston Villa, a match in which they dominated large periods but lacked a cutting edge.

Their second fixture produced drama at St James’ Park.

Coming from 2-0 down against Liverpool, Newcastle looked set to have completed the comeback before Rio Ngumoha’s 100th-minute strike condemned them to a 3-2 defeat.

The pattern continued away at Leeds, another 0-0 stalemate where chances were few.

It wasn’t until the fourth game that Newcastle finally claimed three points, grinding out a laboured 1-0 home victory over Wolves.

That was followed by another goalless encounter, this time away at Bournemouth – a match that underlined both Howe’s tactical experiments and the team’s ongoing attacking malaise.

In those two goalless games against Leeds and Bournemouth, Howe trialled different variations of a back three.

Yet, the results suggest the system still requires tweaking, with Newcastle struggling for rhythm in possession and fluency in the final third.

Newcastle stifled by the system against Bournemouth

Against Bournemouth, Howe’s team took to the field in a 3-4-2-1, aiming to nullify the hosts’ high-pressing 4-2-3-1.

Nick Woltemade, the record signing, led the line.

The German forward showed neat touches and even had a penalty appeal waved away, but he still appeared to be adjusting to the physical demands of English football.

In midfield, Howe rotated heavily. Lewis Miley and Joe Willock replaced Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton, but neither was able to stamp authority on proceedings.

Newcastle’s lack of thrust was reflected in the numbers: just 0.14 expected goals (xG) compared to Bournemouth’s 0.46.

Defensively, there were nervy moments.

Tino Livramento was caught at the back post, allowing David Brooks to score what looked like the opening goal before it was ruled out for offside.

Malick Thiaw also rode his luck, avoiding what could have been a second-half red card.

The raw statistics painted a bleak picture for Newcastle: 4 shots to Bournemouth’s 11 and 390 completed passes to the Cherries’ 498.

One positive came in the form of Lewis Hall, who looked composed on his return to the starting XI after a lengthy injury layoff.

The former Chelsea man provided balance on the left flank and showed glimpses of the technical security Newcastle have been missing in recent weeks. The same can’t be said of one of his teammates, however…

Bournemouth draw the latest example of Willock’s decline

Amid Newcastle’s struggles, the spotlight inevitably fell on Joe Willock.

The midfielder was handed his first league start of the season at Bournemouth, but his subdued display was another reminder of how far his career has drifted from the explosive start he made at St James’ Park.

Willock first arrived on loan from Arsenal in February 2021, tasked with helping Steve Bruce’s side escape relegation.

He wasted no time, scoring on his debut in a 3-2 win over Southampton before embarking on a remarkable run of goals in seven consecutive matches – equalling Alan Shearer’s long-standing record from 1996.

By the end of that season, Willock had eight goals in 14 games, second only to Callum Wilson despite arriving mid-season.

Bruce urged the board to make the move permanent, and in the summer, Newcastle obliged with a £25m deal.

Willock went on to contribute significantly in Howe’s first full campaign, helping Newcastle secure a fourth-place finish and a return to the Champions League.

But since then, injuries have derailed his progress.

Injury Record 2023 – Present
Hamstring Injury	12 matches missed
Achilles Tendon Injury	18 matches missed
Achilles Tendon Injury	8 matches missed
Thigh Injury	2 matches missed
Muscle Injury	1 match missed
Calf Injury	2 matches missed
Source: Transfermarkt

He missed 38 matches in 2023/24 and another seven last season, with one content creator on X remarking that the “explosive bursts of pace” once central to his game have all but disappeared.

The Bournemouth match showed the scale of his struggles.

In the 62 minutes before being replaced by Harvey Barnes, Willock registered no shots, 32 touches, and just 12 successful passes from 15 attempts (80%), as per Sofascore.

Defensively, he was combative, winning six of nine ground duels, but he lost both of his aerial contests and offered little drive going forward.

His match rating of 6.8 reflected an industrious but uninspiring performance.

For a player once hailed as Newcastle’s answer to Shearer in terms of clutch goalscoring, his trajectory has become symbolic of the team’s own attacking issues.

Howe will hope that minutes in the upcoming League Cup clash against Bradford can help Willock rediscover some rhythm, but at present, he looks far from the dynamic midfielder who carried Newcastle to safety just four years ago.

Fewer touches than Pope: 4/10 Newcastle flop is on borrowed time under Howe

This Newcastle United flop is now on borrowed time on Tyneside after struggling against AFC Bournemouth.

By
Kelan Sarson

Sep 22, 2025